Wondery presents The Dating Game Killer

In 1978, Rodney Alcala won a date on the popular TV show, The Dating Game. What no one knew was that he was a prolific serial killer in the middle of a cross-country murder spree. In this six-part series, co-hosts Tracy Pattin (Hollywood & Crime) and Stephen Lang (Avatar, Don’t Breathe) take listeners on an unbelievable journey into Alcala’s twisting secret life. He hid behind normal jobs as a typesetter at a prominent newspaper and a summer camp counselor. How did this predatory monster fool employers, prison psychiatrists, and parole boards — all while committing heinous crimes from coast to coast? And how did a one-time appearance as a game show contestant help lead to his capture? From the makers of Dirty John, Dr. Death, and Young Charlie, learn the story of the most famous serial killer you’ve never heard of - The Dating Game Killer.

Episódios

In this Dateline classic, Kay Parsons and Becky Sears are best friends and neighbors in quiet, residential Grovetown, Georgia. One morning, both of their homes are burglarized. Inside one of them, investigators find a bloody trail leading to the garage. Dennis Murphy reports. Originally aired on NBC on May 8, 2015.

In this Dateline classic, after Stephanie Bruner goes missing in the Colorado mountains, three suspects and a love triangle complicate the investigation. Keith Morrison reports. Originally aired on NBC on October 5, 2012.

In this Dateline classic, a young woman is found brutally murdered in her Baltimore home. Police find themselves stumped for over a decade -- until a DNA breakthrough leads to surprising suspects. Could two determined detectives crack the cold case? Dennis Murphy reports. Originally aired on NBC on July 31, 2015.

In this Dateline classic, detectives in Frisco, Texas uncover a series of suspects after a woman is found dead in her garage -- all of them connected in different ways to her complicated and secretive life. Josh Mankiewicz reports. Originally aired on NBC on December 9, 2016.

In this Dateline classic, when a 33-year-old Catholic high school tutor in Grand Rapids, Michigan is charged with having an illegal relationship with a 15-year-old student, her stunning defense leads to an emotional courtroom battle. Keith Morrison reports. Originally aired on NBC on June 4, 2015.

When Bryan Rein, a young Montana veterinarian, is found dead at his home with a gun nearby, police quickly discover there is more to this case than meets the eye. As the investigation spans more than two decades, police sort through conflicting evidence to find out what really happened. Keith Morrison reports. Originally aired on NBC on May 22, 2020.

In this Dateline classic, Nicole Pietz appeared to be on top of the world, but when her body is found miles from home, detectives are determined to dig into her past. Dennis Murphy reports. Originally aired on NBC on November 20, 2013.

In this Dateline classic, when Raven Abaroa comes home to find his wife stabbed to death, detectives began digging into the couple’s complicated past. Josh Mankiewicz reports. Originally aired on NBC on April 25, 2014.

In this Dateline classic, Michelle Young, pregnant with her second child, is brutally murdered while her husband Jason is away on business. Who would kill this beloved young mother? Keith Morrison reports. Originally aired on NBC on March 30, 2012.

In this Dateline classic, Cathy Torrez was a beautiful, smart and responsible 20-year-old student. So why didn't she come home after work like she was supposed to? Josh Mankiewicz reports. Originally aired on NBC on April 24, 2015.

In this Dateline classic, the body of a school superintendent is found by his home in western New York. As his family struggles to make sense of the horror, investigators look for answers. Dennis Murphy reports. Originally aired on NBC on March 21, 2014.

The story of Rebecca Musser vs. FLDS leader and notorious FBI fugitive Warren Jeffs. Rebecca opens up to Keith Morrison about life in the church and why she decided to leave the denomination. Originally aired on NBC on May 8, 2020.

As a bonus for Dateline listeners, we’re sharing a special preview of Motive for Murder, a new podcast from Dateline NBC. Two murders, months apart, in Houston. The young victims knew each other, but did they also know their elusive killer? Dateline’s Josh Mankiewicz takes you inside one of the most twisted and confounding cases he’s ever covered. From the team who brought you the #1 podcast The Thing About Pam comes the chilling story of the race to find the killer by unmasking the motive.

In this Dateline classic, Tom Foley, once a hometown hero in Coldwater, Michigan, is shocked to find himself as the lead suspect in the case of his wife Darlene's murder. Josh Mankiewicz reports. Originally aired on NBC on November 18, 2011.

In this Dateline classic, when Erin Corwin tells her husband she is going out to scout hiking trails in Joshua Tree National Park, she vanishes without a trace. Andrea Canning reports. Originally aired on NBC on December 2, 2016.

Exclusive interviews with close family members of Lori Vallow Daybell, the Idaho mother charged with deserting her children, Tylee and JJ, who have not been seen since September. Keith Morrison reports. Originally aired on NBC on May 1, 2020.

From the team who brought you the #1 podcast The Thing About Pam, comesMotive for Murder. Dateline’s Josh Mankiewicz takes you inside the chilling story of the race to find a killer by unmasking the motive. Motive for Murder premieres May 7th. Subscribe now.

In this Dateline classic, Shelley Nance, a talented young art student, is found stabbed to death in her bed, sparking a police investigation with many twists and turns. Keith Morrison reports. Originally aired on NBC on March 13, 2015.

In this Dateline classic, Heidi Allen, an 18-year-old college student and convenience store clerk in Oswego County, NY goes missing in broad daylight on Easter Sunday 1994. Dennis Murphy reports. Originally aired on NBC on May 20, 2016.

When college student Jesse Valencia is found murdered in a residential neighborhood, investigators are left without any answers in sight. But as police search for the truth, they are stunned to learn that one of their own might be involved. Keith Morrison reports. Originally aired on NBC on April 24, 2020.